PHMSA to Draft Wetlines Regulation

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) intends to propose a regulation that would ban the transportation of flammable materials in the external piping of cargo tanks (wetlines). The regulation is currently being drafted and we are unsure as to whether it will apply to new cargo tanks only or require some type of retrofit for existing equipment. The rule is expected to be proposed next spring. It is unclear what impact the Department of Transportation’s rulemaking will have on Congress’ efforts to legislate such a ban as part of the reauthorization of the federal hazardous materials transportation law. ATA and National Tank Truck Carriers will continue to provide information to PHMSA concerning the potential costs and benefits of a wetlines ban. Based on historical incident data, the risk of being struck by lightning is an order of magnitude greater than the risk of being injured in a wetlines incident.